Activity:

• Review the children’s services of Bundaberg Regional Libraries

I attended the Virtual Study Visit last month to explore the operations of different information agencies. The guest speaker from Bundaberg Regional Libraries delivered a great presentation, demonstrating diverse library programs they provided to local children and young adults. Bundaberg Regional Libraries shows a great example of offering a wide range of various programs to encourage children’s participation. It not only provides traditional services such as the Storytime and the Reading session, but also offers Lego and Chess clubs so that kids could play with new friends (Bundaberg Regional Libraries, 2022a). Moreover, the library’s manager includes many advanced technologies into their program designs. For instances, there are Virtual Reality devices and computers provided for children to play as a game group (Bundaberg Regional Libraries, 2022b). As a result, local children can develop their digital literacy skills and build up friendship with other community members.

Reflection:

• My learning from this activity

This presentation inspires me to review librarians’ role in leading a culture of diversity in children’s services. In order to perform diversity, information professionals should not be restrained by traditional perceptions. Just as Hildreth (2019) illustrates, libraries must provide programs, collections and services in consideration of the key priorities of the community, not their personal believes (p. 2).  For example, video game playing is a disputable issue and is still not widely accepted as other learning tools. Thus, it is not very common for a library to offer a particular space for children playing computer games. However, just as Naidoo and Park (2014) advice, the new digital media is not provided to children for the sake of replacing physical books and activities; it can be functioned as interactive, educational and team building tools to supplement the existing services (pp. 59-60). Therefore, information professionals need to consider what kind of resources can be offered to the children, rather than thinking of what their parents may like or dislike. There are, in fact, many wonderful games designed for children’s recreational and developmental needs. Take the Minecraft game as an example, children need to be creative in designing their world and be cooperative with their friends (Dezuanni, 2018, p. 246). According to Baek et al. (2020), Minecraft can be adopted for educational purposes with proper instruction from the educators (p. 12). Therefore, it is a great reminder to myself that I shall not use my previous notion or experience to make judgements on new trends and ideas. Instead, it is recommended for librarians to read professional research articles in relation to disputable issues so that both of the benefits and drawbacks will be taken into consideration.

Moreover, in order to perform diversity, information professionals need to be at the forefront of learning and using modern technologies. Bundaberg Regional Libraries have many innovative facilities such as 3D printers and Virtual Reality devices. The library’s management team present a positive attitude in teaching new things to their community. It is especially meaningful in serving children as they are growing up in such a rapid changing environment. As a result, librarians are urged to expend their skills to provide sufficient support to the young people (Stavridi, & Hamada, 2016, p. 30). It is important for information professionals to keep pace with the changing world.

What is the traditional impression of a children’s library? Most of the parents may expect a librarian talking about a story book or leading a reading session to a group of children. However, when the new technologies arrive, libraries have to change its operation accordingly so as to satisfy the diverse needs of their users.

References

Baek, Y., Min, E., & Yun, S. (2020). Mining educational implications of Minecraft. Computers in the Schools, 37(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2020.1719802

Bundaberg Regional Libraries. (2022a). Kids & Youth. https://www.artsbundaberg.com.au/homepage/156/kids-and-youth

Bundaberg Regional Libraries. (2022b). Gamers Group. https://www.artsbundaberg.com.au/libraries/online-programs/4

Hildreth, S. (2019). The library as community anchor: An open perspective. In Mills, J.E., & K. Campana (eds.), Create, innovate, and serve: A radical approach to children’s and youth programming. American Library Association.

Naidoo, J. C., & Park, S. (2014). Diversity programming for digital youth: Promoting cultural competence in the children’s library: promoting cultural competence in the children’s library. ABC-CLIO, LLC.

Stavridi, S. V., & Hamada, D. R. (2016). Children and youth librarians: competencies required in technology-based environment. In J. Yap, M. Perez, M. Ayson, and G. Entico (Eds.), Special Library Administration, Standardization and Technological Integration (pp. 25-50). IGI Global.